Electricity. 179 



inch in about half a minute. The metallic face was vitreously 

 electrified, and the paper end resinously. The effect constantly 

 augmented with the number of discs. Another pile of tinned 

 paper discs, of which the reverse sides had been covered with 

 honey, to preserve a constant humidity, also gave electricity, 

 but it required forty or fifty discs to equal the effect of the pre- 

 ceding ten and the electricity was changed, for the metal 

 was resinous and the honey vitreous. On the following day 

 there was scarcely any electricity, and it soon entirely disap- 

 peared, in consequence of the paper becoming penetrated by 

 the honey, when the metal was equally in contact with it on 

 both sides. A pile of tinned paper, of which the discs were 

 pasted together, gave no electric signs, because the metal was 

 equally in contact with the paper on both faces. 



When a pile of this kind has become inactive, it may be 

 renewed by separating the discs, and airfng them, so as to di- 

 minish the effect of moisture on one of the faces of each disc. 

 In general, binary piles only produce their effect by the in- 

 equality of contact between the faces of the metallic and humid 

 elements. 



The conducting power of the fluid has a very great influence 

 on the energy of these piles. A few drops of a solution of an 

 ammoniacal salt added to the water, somewhat augments the 

 electric tension, a second addition diminishes it, and, at last, by 

 continuing to add the salt, it is entirely destroyed. It is neces- 

 sary, therefore, that the fluid element of the binary piles 

 should be an imperfect conductor. 



With respect to the pile constructed of tinned paper, and the 

 black oxide of manganese, M. Zamboni directs, that as tinned 

 paper alone forms a pile, a paper should be chosen, which, when 

 disposed alone in a pile, has the same electricity as when the 

 oxide of manganese is used. But with whatever kind of tinned 

 paper the pile be made, it is always increased in energy, and its 

 electricity corresponds with that of a pile constructed with 

 tinned paper and oxide of manganese, when the paper has been 

 impregnated with a solution of sulphate of zinc, and afterwards 

 dried. 



N2 



